Employee Matters

Staff of the Employee Compensation and Benefits Services office prepares this column.

Annual Fall Enrollments — Health Insurance Dual Choice and Employee Reimbursement Accounts

What is Dual Choice?
Dual Choice is the annual opportunity for you to change from one health plan to another, or to change from single to family coverage without waiting periods or exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions. To be eligible, you must be insured as of Oct. 1, 2002.

When is the Dual Choice enrollment period for Plan Year 2003?
That enrollment period began Monday, Oct. 7, and ends Friday, Oct. 25. The coverage you elect during this period becomes effective Jan. 1.

Will I receive something in the mail?
If you are the subscriber of the health plan and insured as of Oct. 1, 2002, you will receive a Dual Choice booklet that was mailed to you at your campus address the first week of October.

What information in the booklet should I review or verify?

• Review the premiums for any change in your share.
• Review the coverage of each plan.
• Review the “Notable Plan and Program Changes” section and the individual plan descriptions.
• Verify that your current plan is available in your area for 2003.
• Verify that your selected physicians, clinics and/or hospitals are still available under your plan.

Whom should I call with specific benefit or provider questions?
Call the health plan directly.

Then what should I do?
If you elect to change your health plan or change your coverage level from single to family, obtain a health insurance application from your division or department benefits coordinator. Complete the application and return it to your benefits coordinator no later than 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25. No action is necessary if you do not elect to make changes.

What if I miss my opportunity?
You will have to wait until the next Dual Choice opportunity next year. You can change to the Standard Plan anytime; however, you will be subject to a 180-day waiting period for pre-existing conditions. If you missed Dual Choice enrollment for reasons outside of your control, contact Employee Compensation and Benefits Services. That office will determine whether you might be eligible to file a “late dual choice” enrollment.

What is the enrollment period?
The enrollment period is Oct. 7-Nov. 8.

Am I eligible to enroll in ERA?
Yes, if you hold a classified or unclassified appointment other than a fellow, scholar, limited term employee, student assistant or student hourly.

How do I enroll?
ERA booklets, which explain the online enrollment procedures, were mailed to campus addresses the week of Sept. 23.

When will coverage be effective?
Jan. 1, 2003.

What if I want more information?
Visit the EC&BS Website: http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/ecbs.html or e-mail a benefit specialist: employee@bussvc.wisc.edu.